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On March 15, 2020, Governor Mills issued a State of Emergency, granting the state the powers and resources it needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. This emergency declaration was continually extended up until recently. On July 1, Maine’s State of Emergency came to a conclusion.
One of the most notable changes people will experience now concerns the state’s mask requirements. These requirements have expired with some exceptions in education and childcare, mass transit, hospitals, and federal buildings. Private businesses may still require their employees and patrons to wear masks, but the requirements imposed by the state are now lifted.
On the state legislative front, the Legislature took up a series of gubernatorial vetoes and passed a new supplemental budget. So far, Governor Mills’ veto pen has proven to be very strong. All of her vetoes have been upheld by the Legislature.
The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee passed a unanimous supplemental budget that has since been enacted with strong bipartisan margins and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Mills. This is a positive development following the passage of a partisan budget bill back in March that had no Republican support. The supplemental bill will send more resources to local communities—including schools—and will send $300 payments to Mainers who file income taxes. Payments will be made to individuals who earn less than $75,000 in taxable income or less than $150,000 as a married joint filer.
Legislators concluded their work this week and will return on July 19 to take up any additional vetoes issued by the Governor. One outstanding piece of business remains: before September, lawmakers must decide if they will send bond proposals to voters this November. A bond package deal must be passed before the Legislature adjourns on July 19 or they will need to return for a one-day session sometime in August to achieve an agreement.
The League’s Governmental Affairs team will be providing a briefing at the next Credit Union Town Hall on July 12. Please join us to learn more about the League’s legislative successes this past session.